Sensing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for sensing, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of genetically modified sensors and a transducer array. The plurality of genetically modified sensors comprise a plurality of subsets of sensors wherein the sensors are genetically modified so as to provide an output in response to one or more chemicals. The plurality of genetically modified sensors are genetically modified in a non-correlated manner so that different subsets of sensors are configured to provide a different affinity to different chemicals. The transducer array, comprises a plurality of pixels, wherein different subsets of the plurality of genetically modified sensors are coupled to different pixels so as to cause the pixels to provide outputs dependent upon the genetic modification of the subset of sensors coupled to the pixel. Detection of one or more chemicals by one or more of the genetically modified sensors causes an identifiable output signal to be provided by the transducer array.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of genetically modified sensors comprising a plurality of subsets of sensors wherein in response to one or more chemicals the sensors are genetically modified to provide an output, and wherein the plurality of genetically modified sensors are configured to be genetically modified in a non-correlated manner wherein a first subset of sensors is configured to provide an affinity to a first chemical, and a second subset of sensors is configured to provide an affinity to a second chemical; and   a transducer array, comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein different subsets of the plurality of genetically modified sensors are respectively coupled to different pixels to cause the pixels to provide outputs dependent upon the genetic modification of the subset of sensors coupled to the pixel, wherein detection of one or more chemicals by one or more of the genetically modified sensors causes an identifiable output signal to be provided by the transducer array.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the genetically modified sensors within a subset are homogenous. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the identifiable output signal from the transducer array comprises a combination of outputs from a plurality of different pixels. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the genetically modified sensors are configured to be adsorbed to the pixels of the transducer array. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the transducer array comprises at least one of mass sensitive transducers, light sensitive transducers, electrically sensitive transducers, or heat sensitive transducers. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the genetically modified sensors comprise at least one of viral particles, desiccation tolerant cells, synthetic peptides, randomized DNA, proteins, or receptors. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the genetically modified sensors are genetically modified to sense chemicals in at least one of, gas phase, or a liquid phase. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the genetically modified sensors are genetically modified in a random or pseudo random manner. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , further configured to provide the identifiable output signal of the transducer array to an artificial intelligence module, wherein the artificial intelligence module is configured to classify the identifiable output signal. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein classifying the identifiable output signal comprises one or more of: determining an identity of a chemical, determining a class of chemicals, or determining a concentration of a chemical. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the artificial intelligence module is configured to use a pattern recognition algorithm to classify the identifiable output signal. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:   receive an identifiable output signal from a transducer array;   
       wherein the identifiable output signal produced by the transducer array is configured to provide an indication of the presence of one or more chemicals detected by a respective plurality of genetically modified sensors coupled to the transducer array, said sensors genetically modified in a non-correlated manner; and 
       use artificial intelligence to classify the identifiable output signal by determining one or more of: an identity of a chemical, a class of chemicals, or a concentration of a chemical. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein training data obtained by exposing the transducer array and plurality of genetically modified sensors to one or more known chemicals is usable for classifying the identifiable output signal from the transducer array. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein a pattern recognition algorithm is usable for classifying the identifiable output signal from the transducer array. 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 receiving an identifiable output signal from a transducer array;   wherein the identifiable output signal produced by the transducer array is configured to provide an indication of the presence of one or more chemicals detected by a respective plurality of genetically modified sensors coupled to the transducer array, said sensors genetically modified in a non-correlated manner; and   using artificial intelligence to classify the identifiable output signal by determining one or more of: an identity of a chemical, a class of chemicals, or a concentration of a chemical.